Kazakhstan intends to increase oil transit volumes via the Baku‑Tbilisi‑Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, Report informs, citing Akorda, quoting President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev following talks with Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
"Our countries support successful cooperation in the energy sector. We intend to increase oil transit volumes via the Baku‑Tbilisi‑Ceyhan pipeline. Active work is under way within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economy. I hope today's meeting will contribute to defining new priorities for the future," Tokayev said.
According to him, trade and investment interaction remains the cornerstone of bilateral relations. Despite global instability, there is potential for future growth in trade turnover between the two countries. Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan has invested over half a billion dollars in Georgia's economy and remains among the country's largest investors.
Tokayev also expressed confidence that the joint declaration on establishing strategic partnership will elevate Kazakh‑Georgian relations to a qualitatively new level. The President proposed giving clear structure to the future development of strategic partnership and preparing a "roadmap" focused on energy, investments, transport connectivity, agriculture, digitalisation, tourism, and other promising areas.
Special attention was given to the development of the Trans‑Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). As key participants of the project, Kazakhstan and Georgia intend to take consistent measures to develop transport and logistics infrastructure, expand container shipments, coordinate tariff policies, and accelerate digitalisation. It was noted that transit traffic along the TITR has increased 3.5‑fold over the past five years, and the number of container trains on the route is expected to reach 3,000 by 2029.
Beyond the port of Batumi, Kazakhstan is also interested in expanding its presence in other port zones of Georgia. Notably, a new multimodal terminal was opened in Poti last year with the participation of Kazakh investors. The Anaklia port was also named a promising project for strengthening interregional ties.
https://report.az/en/energy/kazakhstan-plans-to-increase-oil-transport-via-btc-pipeline